Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-07-15
LETTER FROM JUDGE BRIDGFoRg,
Before Whom Hong Di was Tried, and
Concerning the LynchinS.

Concerning tne IynCui1Es
The following letter by Judge Bridgford,
before whom Hong Di was tried, has been
addressed to the San Francisco Examiner,
and appeared in that paper on Tuesday:
SIR: In your editorial in the Examiner
to-day, concerning the tragedy connected
with the Hong d case, You unintentionally,
no doubt, did Mr. Beville. the Sheriff, a
great injustice, You were not acquainted
with all the surrounding circumstances,
and for thst reason could not form an en-
tlrely correct conclusion. | was in fire.
quent consultation with Mr.. Beyille dur
ing the day preceding The night of the
| lynchaag of Hong Di, and believe I can
truthfully say that Mr.. Beville studiously
| did everything in his power that would, in
his Judgment, tend to surround the pris-
| oE1er with the greatest safety. 1t was evil
dent that the people were aroused, and that
'fheIe would be determined effort TO take
Hong Di from the jail on that night.
The militia were practically without
( arms, having but one round of ammunition
! for one-third of the company, and the deal
ers refnsing-so the Sheriff was informed
| to sell them any. 1t was improbable to
get men to act as guards who could be re-
| he'd upon. Everything was excitement
there was no opportunity for cool delibera-
ton. In order to avoid bloodshed, and as
it was thought, for the better security OF
the prisoner, the plan OF misleading the
f, mob which was attempted TO be carried
out was hit upon. Early in the evening
the militia were brought into requisition
and every person cleared from the block in
which is situated the Jail. No one was
allowed to approach even the sidewalk sur.
| rounding the block. The street lights in
the Jail block were eXtinguished in order tc
| give an apparent opportunity fer removing
the prisoner.
There was in the bedroom. adjoining the
! Sheriff's office, a small trap door under the
bed, which gave access to the space under
the Jail floor. 1t was believed that there
was but one man in town, plumber, out
side the Sheriffs office, that knew any.
thing of the existence of the trap-door, as il
was determined to dismiss every one from
the Jail building except the Sheriff. and
place the prisoner underneath the Jail floor
which was done, and the carpet placed
upon the floor of the bedroom. After this
| closed carriage was driven near the jail
in the darkness, and then driven rapidly
| away.
The rumor went out at once that Hong
Di had been taken from the Jail. After
several hours had elapsed, for the purpose
of confirming the truth of the report, the
militia were dismissed. Less than an hour
afterward the mob came. 1t was believed
by most every one that the prisoner had
been removed.
1t was intended if the mob came and in
sisted, to show them through the Jail and
convince them that the Chinaman was not
there. 1t was thought the Chinaman stood
better chance for his life in that way than
to undertake to resist the mob with the
means at hand. The members of the mob
had evidently been informed by some one
Of the existence of this trap-door. as l am
informed they had no difficulty in find
ing it.
Had they not been informed feel quite
certain the Chinaman would not have been
found. think Mr.. Beville's conduct above
reproach, and in justice to him have writ.
ten this explanation. Yours, respectfully,
L. A. BRIDGFoRD.